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Make Your Mark Faculty

Students in Abnormal Psychology learn about the diagnosis, origins, and treatment
of both well-known mental disorders – such as depression and schizophrenia – and those
that are more obscure – such as cyclothymia and frotteurism. One of the main methods
of learning about the disorders is team-based diagnosis of case studies. Students
work together in differentiating between disorders and debating other teams about
the merits of their diagnoses. A semester-long case history project allows students
to pursue their own interests in depth by applying what they are learning in class
to a famous person. Recent students have explored cases as varied as Abraham Lincoln,
Sheldon Cooper, and Pac Man. For all subjects, however, the goal is to explore the
cause of symptoms, possible diagnoses, and the relevant scientific literature.

My courses are about all facets of American Politics and Government. They are designed to encourage students to think independently, take initiative in
exploring the political world, and develop opinions about critical issues facing the
United States today. In analyses of the current news, classroom discussions, written
assignments, and group projects, students more deeply cultivate knowledge about the
world around them and their place it. Applying a mixture of technology, running the
gamut from game simulations to hand-written self-reflections, students must use a
variety of skills and techniques to learn about the political landscape. By doing
so, students foster characteristics that McKendree University values most: Responsible
Citizenship, Engagement, Academic Excellence, and Lifelong Learning.

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel."

~ Maya Angelou

The hallmark of my educational mission is to hone each of my student's communication
skills. Mathematics is a deep but rewarding subject. Students leave my courses adept
at expressing complex ideas. But they also leave with that "wow" feeling that only
comes from conquering complicated ideas. I enjoy watching their professional expression
develop over the course of a semester. Years later many have told me that they remember
how they felt when they left my course; they felt more mature and ready to face whatever
life has for them. That sentiment makes me proud to be a faculty member at McKendree
University.